At Bowdon Church School (BCS), we are committed to providing a high-quality Physical Education (PE) curriculum that not only meets the educational standards but also nurtures a lifelong passion for physical activity and well-being amongst our students. Our intent is to foster physical literacy, resilience, and a strong sense of community through a diverse and engaging curriculum.

Key Aims of the BCS PE Curriculum:

1. Broad and Balanced Curriculum:

   • We ensure that our PE curriculum is broad, balanced, and accessible to all students, regardless of their ability. This inclusivity encourages every child to participate actively and develop a love for movement.

2. Physical Confidence and Competence:

   • Our program is designed to help children become physically confident. By offering a variety of sports and activities, we aim to build their competence, encouraging them to engage in lifelong health and fitness practices.

3. Development of Key Skills:

   • Through our PE curriculum, children will develop fundamental movement skills such as running, jumping, throwing, and catching. They will also master specific sports skills and understand the principles of attacking and defending in competitive contexts.

4. Resilience and Growth Mindset:

   • We emphasise the importance of resilience and a growth mindset. Students will learn to reflect on their performances, compare their progress, and set personal goals for improvement.

5. Character Building:

   • Our curriculum promotes character development and the embedding of core values such as fairness, respect, teamwork, and cooperation. These values are essential for building responsible and compassionate individuals who care for their community and environment.

6. Community Engagement and Social Justice:

   • We encourage students to care for others and demonstrate social responsibility. By participating in team sports and cooperative activities, children will develop a sense of social justice, inclusivity, and tolerance.

7. Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles:

   • BCS seeks to instil the importance of physical health and well-being. Through engaging in physical activities, students learn about the benefits of an active lifestyle, including emotional and social well-being.

8. Incorporation of Values:

   • Our PE curriculum aligns with broader educational values, including British values, Christian values, and the Olympic and Paralympic values. We aim to help children understand the significance of these values in sports and physical activity.

9. Connection to Local Sports Opportunities:

   • Given the high standard of local competitive sports, we provide pathways for students to engage with local clubs and competitions. We recognise the importance of connecting students with opportunities to excel outside of school.

Through our PE curriculum at BCS, we intend to cultivate physically literate, confident, and happy children who are equipped with the skills and values necessary to lead active, healthy lives. We aim to inspire our students to appreciate the joys of physical activity and sports, encouraging them to remain active participants in their communities for years to come. By instilling these values and skills, we hope to see our students thrive not only in sports but also as responsible and engaged citizens.

At Bowdon Church School (BCS), our PE curriculum is strategically designed to align with our educational intentions, ensuring that all students receive a comprehensive and engaging physical education experience. Our approach emphasises skill progression, broad exposure to different physical activities, and the promotion of core values that reflect our school’s ethos.

Curriculum Structure and Delivery

1. Use of Comprehensive Platforms:

   • We utilise Imoves, an extensive online platform, to support teaching staff in delivering high-quality PE lessons. This resource provides a range of activities that enhance teaching effectiveness and engage students in physical education.
   • Additionally, we partner with Sports In School to deliver the Games aspect of PE, ensuring that our curriculum is diverse and covers a wide range of sports.

2. Broad and Varied Curriculum:

   • Our curriculum encompasses a variety of physical activities that promote skill development and enjoyment.

   • In Key Stage 1 (KS1), pupils will engage in:

     • Dance: Exploring movement and expression through rhythm and choreography.
     • Gymnastics: Developing balance, coordination, and body awareness.
     • Outdoor and Adventurous Activities (OAA): Fostering teamwork and problem-solving skills in outdoor settings.
     • Fundamental and Multiskills: Building foundational skills that are applicable across various sports.
     • Target Games: Learning skills through games that focus on accuracy and control.

   • In Key Stage 2 (KS2), pupils will deepen their skills in:

     • Dance: Continuing to explore more complex movements and performances.
     • Gymnastics: Enhancing techniques and routines with increasing difficulty.
     • Swimming: Developing proficiency in water safety and various swimming strokes.
     • OAA: Engaging in activities that challenge their physical and mental capabilities.
     • Multiskills: Broadening their physical competence across different activities.
     • Sport-Specific Skills: Focusing on sports like Football, Netball, Lacrosse, Tag Rugby, and Cricket, allowing for specialised skill development.

Cross-Curricular Links

• Integration with Other Subjects:
  • PE naturally lends itself to cross-curricular links. For example, we connect Dance with History, allowing students to explore cultural dances from different periods, and OAA with Geography, where students can learn about the natural environment while participating in outdoor activities.
  • Teachers are also encouraged to incorporate physical activity into other subject lessons. This initiative supports the current objective of ensuring that every child is active for at least 60 minutes each day. Examples include:
    • Active Learning in Maths: Engaging students in physical activities that involve counting, measuring, or geometry.
    • Phonics: Using movement-based games to reinforce letter recognition and sounds.
    • Science: Conducting experiments that require physical involvement, such as measuring distances or observing physical phenomena.

Our commitment to fostering a positive and engaging physical educational environment has resulted in healthy, motivated pupils with well-rounded wellbeing. Our approach to PE not only focusses on skill development but also on instilling a lifelong passion for being active, ensuring that children understand the importance of physical literacy in supporting their overall health and fitness.

Outcomes of Our PE Curriculum

1. Increased Physical Activity:

   • We observe children choosing to be active during their free time, particularly during playtimes, which reflects their understanding and enjoyment of physical activity.
   • Students are knowledgeable about the benefits of being physically literate, recognising how it contributes to their lifelong health and fitness.

2. Participation and Achievement:

   • Participation in after-school sporting clubs has increased, with more students engaging in competitive sports, both for the school and local clubs.
   • Our students consistently perform well in competitions, often achieving first or second place, a testament to the effective teaching of skills and the application of those skills in competitive situations.

3. Monitoring and Assessment:

   • Throughout PE lessons, students are closely monitored and observed, with immediate feedback provided to help them improve their performance. This real-time assessment allows for a responsive teaching approach.
   • Any students raising particular concerns regarding their performance or understanding are given modified lessons and additional support.
   • At the end of each unit, pupils are assessed against the established learning objectives, ensuring that those who do not meet the outcomes are flagged for further assistance from PE coaches or the Subject Leader.

4. Reputation for Skilled Athletes:

   • We take pride in our reputation for producing skilled, well-rounded athletes. Feedback from local high schools often highlights our pupils’ prior knowledge and experiences in physical education, which significantly prepares them for the demands of secondary school sports and PE.
   • This strong foundation in physical literacy contributes to their success and confidence in a range of sporting activities.

5. Lifelong Mindset:

   • At BCS, we aim to instil a mindset of physical activity as a lifelong pursuit. We encourage all students, regardless of their natural athletic ability, to understand the importance of maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle.
   • Our philosophy emphasises that being physically active is not solely about competition or performance but also about personal health and wellbeing.

The impact of our physical education program at Bowdon Church School is evident in the enthusiasm, skills, and wellbeing of our pupils. Through a structured and supportive approach to PE, we cultivate not only capable athletes but also health-conscious individuals who appreciate the value of an active lifestyle. We are committed to continuing this positive trajectory, ensuring that our students leave BCS with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary for lifelong physical activity and health.